SUPER BOWL FALLOUT

Written By Jason Voorhees

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Super Bowl 53 had the same familiar ending. 

Yes...The New England Patriots won their unprecedented sixth Super Bowl Championship joining the Pittsburgh Steelers as the only NFL franchises to accomplish that feat.  With their sixth title in toe...Tom Brady and Bill Bellichik both cemented their status as "THE GOAT" within their respective positions.  Bellichik goes down as the greatest coach in football history while Brady becomes the unquestioned best quarterback of all time.

Lost in the shuffle of these amazing team and personal feats was how bad that the game actually was. 

The New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in what was the lowest scoring game in super bowl history.  Not only was the game low scoring, but it also lacked big play ability.  There was only ONE red zone appearance by either team with the Patriots scoring the lone touchdown on a Sony Michel rushing touchdown.

Coming into the game, the matchup pitted the leagues #2 and #4 scoring offenses.  The game featured the Rams high flying offensive attack with marquee running back Todd Gurley and the coaching genius Sean McVay.  On the other sideline was the two headed goat known as the Evil Empire.  This game was supposed to be a track meet of offensive firepower that has seldom been seen on the field together.  Instead...the game was a major letdown.

Everything about the game was bad including the halftime show.  The game was not only bad live...but it also failed in the ratings department as there were a lot less people watching on television as well.  This game was actually dominated by defense and one could say that the Patriots defense rose to the occasion to bale out their leader in this one. 

Tom Brady did not perform like the "GOAT" in this one...instead looking more than pedestrian in this contest. Brady finished the game 21/35 for 265 Yards/0TD's/1INT/1Sack.  Brady was under duress most of the game and misfired on many of his passes.  He lacked the big play ability that he usually displays and was uncharacteristically inaccurate on many throws.  

Meanwhile, the Rams did not enter the red zone once and a young Jared Goff looked like a player that was scared of the big stage.  Goff finished 19/38 for 229 Yards/0TD's/1INT/4Sacks.  Sean McVay played scared as well and he was extremely conservative with his play calling.  When your best player (Todd Gurley) is limited to 11 touches...you are probably going to loose the game.  Coming into the game, McVay had mentioned that the key was to get its star running back going and that Gurley would be a major part of the game plan.

Todd Gurley was a non factor folks.  He had 10 rushes for 35 yards and 1 catch (-1yards).  The Patriots seemed to know every play that was coming.  Every time the Rams started to gain momentum on a drive...the Patriots had an answer.  Although this game was bad on so many levels, you have to respect the way that both defenses played on the field.  The Rams are known for their strong defense and Wade Phillips had a masterful game plan.  However, as good as Wade Philips was...Bill Bellichik and Brian Flores defense was that much better.

There is one amazing realization that I gained after watching this game.  This realization is the depth of Bill Bellichiks' greatness as a defensive mind.  In 2001, the Patriots began their great run with a 20-17 victory over the "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams.  That high flying Rams team was the number one team in total offense and scored 503 points during the regular season.  Bellichiks team only gave up 17 points to this team, an amazing accomplishment in its own right.

Then last night, Bellichik bested that accomplishment by only allowing one field goal to a Rams team that was #2 in scoring (527Points) in the regular season.  This was an absolute dominating performance by the Patriots defense.  Bill Bellichik may not be the only person calling the defensive plays but he is the one person that designs the game plan.  He is a defensive mastermind and if anyone is going to be referred to as a genius moving forward...it has to be Bellichik.

Love him or hate him he is no doubt "THE GOAT." 

There is no argument that can refute this opinion.  Not only has he won six championships as the coach of the New England Patriots...he also won two more super bowls as a defensive coordinator for the New York Giants.  That's 8 Super Bowl Wins.  No other coach comes close...not even CLOSE.  Although Bellichik and Brady will be forever joined at the hip of this dynasty...Bellichik's success trumps Brady when you look as his success as an assistant coach.  And you also have to recognize the importance he had in turning around the Cleveland Browns...a franchise that was at its absolute worst when he came on board.

Bellichik is an absolute beast in his field.  What the Patriots have accomplished in the salary cap era under his leadership is unrivaled in sports.  The New England Patriots dynasty may never be topped.  Can you imagine if Brady plays four more seasons like he has alluded to.  18 Seasons/9Super Bowl Appearances/6 Super Bowl Championships later...I guess anything is possible for this dynamic duo.

Facts are facts.  As bad as Super Bowl LIII was...it definitely was a defining moment in what could be the most debated topic of NFL history.  Are Bill Bellichik and Tom Brady "THE GOATS?"  I think everyone knows the answer to this question and this was just another example of this. 

This championship solidified the argument and made it that much more credible.  Whether you are a hater, or you are in the "cheater camp", or even those troll happy paratroopers...you have to respect these guys now.  You cannot argue the facts. 

Call Brady a system quarterback...check.  Call Bellichik a cheater...check.  Say the New England Patriots play in the easiest division in NFL football the AFC East...check.  Whatever doubts you may have about the dynasty...you have to admit that there is greatness and beyond with both of these guys.  Ladies and gentlemen...we have experienced "THE GOAT" of our lifetime.